Inner Peace

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Surrounded by the chaos of our world, we are in pursuit of peace. We often wonder if peace is even possible in our inner worlds. But God offers us a complete peace–wholeness, harmony, fulfillment–by a gift of grace.

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Scripture

  • Ephesians 2:1-10

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Teaching Notes

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” -The Angels to the Shepherds

 

IS PEACE REALLY POSSIBLE?

The World’s Def. Peace: The absence of disturbance and hostility, free from internal and external strife.

God’s Def. Peace: [Heb. Shalom; Gr. Eiriene] To be complete, sound, wholeness of health, harmony in relationships, success and fulfillment of purpose.

 

DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM FOR INNER PEACE:

Peace demands that PERFECTION not only be attained but also maintained.

Working Def. for Perfection: what you could be and should be

 

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, Ephesians 2:1

  • External PRESSURE – World System

in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.  Ephesians 2:2

  • Internal IMPULSE – Human Nature

All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.  Ephesians 2:3

 

The paths we CHOOSE oftentimes undermine the very peace we DESIRE.

Appease [Old French, apiasier] – to make peace, to pacify, to reconcile, to bring to peace

 

GOD’S PATHWAY TO INNER PEACE:

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.  Ephesians 2:4-7

 

  1. GRACE from God

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.   Ephesians 2:8-9

 

Inner peace is a GIFT from God to be received not a REWARD to be earned.

 

  1. PURPOSE in Life

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.  Ephesians 2:10

 

When you have peace in your WORLD, you’re able to bring peace to the WORLD.